About 850 teams represented their area in the largest creative problem solving program in the world.  The Odyssey of the Mind 39th World Finals was held this past Memorial day weekend at Iowa State University with teams competing from China, Hong Kong, Great Britain as well as all over the United States.  The SoCo Odyssey team was the first team from South County to ever make World Finals. The team received their state medals in Newport News where they were congratulated by the superintendent of Newport News schools.  At World Finals, South County High School received 18th place out of 53 competing teams in their problem division!!  Congratulations!

The Silverbrook Odyssey of the Mind team worked hard for months preparing for the regional and then state competition, and were thrilled to see that hard work pay off with the opportunity to represent Virginia Region 12 at the 2018 World Finals.  This team of extraordinary girls were in awe at the diverse groups of students from around the world who also share their passion for the Odyssey of the Mind program.  Attending and participating in the World Finals was truly an honor for these young ladies and the experience invaluable.  The girls were true professionals at their debut at the Odyssey World Finals, and we know they will use the gracious feedback from the judges at all levels of competition to improve and grow as they continue their involvement with the program.  Watching these girls become a true team has been rewarding and we could not be more proud of their accomplishments.  Thank you to Virginia Region 12 and everyone who makes the Odyssey of the Mind Program a success!  Coaches Melanie Cummings and Julie Lokitis

The Quacker Pan team from Oak Hill Elementary School was happy to represent Virginia Region 12 at the 2018 Odyssey of the Mind World Finals! This is the team’s first year together – but many of these girls are Odyssey veterans and for five of them, 2018 was their second trip to Virginia State Finals.  The girls loved watching performances at Worlds, trading pins, living in the dorms at Iowa State University and meeting teams from all across the country and from other countries. They want to thank all the volunteers at Oak Hill, our Odyssey Region 12 and our State association who make this program possible. As Wendy and Peter Pan learned in their skit – we all need more creativity and imagination in our lives! We thank Odyssey for making this possible. Coach Ginger Hawkins

Since their humble beginning as 2nd graders, the Reagan team has won four Regional first places (as well as 2nd and 3rd at Regionals), two Regional Ranatra Fuscas, two State first places (as well as 3rd and 5th at state finals), and now 2nd place at the World Finals (as well as 18th place at the 2015 World Finals). After making it to the World Finals in 2015, the Reagan team has been striving to return, but had unfortunate setbacks in 2016 and 2017 that left them just shy of advancing. Advancing to the World Finals this year is the product of long-term dedication by the team to reach their goals. Being able to attend and compete in the World Finals this year was their big goal. Winning 2nd place was icing on the cake. We are very proud of them! Coach Michael Heilen